AFP Blog: Recent News of Note

This blog contains assorted news and commentary on the fundraising profession and philanthropy gathered by the AFP Fundraising Resource Center. Other Sites of Interest Section Disclaimer: AFP provides the following listing of hyperlinks to other Internet pages as a privilege to the user. AFP does not necessarily endorse, support or attest to the accuracy of information posted on those Internet pages. Some links may require registration to view and/or may only be available for a limited time.

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

AP Wire | 04/03/2006 | Charity founder quits over potential conflict

AP Wire | 04/03/2006 | Charity founder quits over potential conflict: "Charity founder quits over potential conflict
Associated Press

KIRKWOOD, Mo. - The founder of a suburban St. Louis children's charity has resigned following allegations that he sent $3 million in business to his wife's marketing company.

Reach Our Children charity founder David Lovell said the group's board of directors knew that his wife, Nancy, co-owned Precision Performance Marketing, which worked for the charity.

But board members said they were stunned by the revelation, according to Will Bealke, the new interim board chairman replacing Lovell.

'There were definitely mistakes made,' Bealke said.

Lawyers for the charity and the state attorney general's office are investigating any wrongdoing."

What's Up Atlanta Daybook-Nearly Two-Thirds of U.S. Charities Found Fundraising Success in 2005

What's Up Atlanta Daybook: "Nearly Two-Thirds of U.S. Charities Found Fundraising Success in 2005

Impact of Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts Significant But Not a Negative Factor For Most Charities

(Alexandria, Va.) – Despite the largest single relief effort in history for Hurricane Katrina, nearly two-thirds of charities in the United States managed to raise more funds in 2005 than in 2004."

Monday, April 03, 2006

Red Cross Gives Up Control of Katrina Aid

Red Cross Gives Up Control of Katrina Aid: "Red Cross Gives Up Control of Katrina Aid

By HOPE YEN
The Associated Press
Monday, April 3, 2006; 3:06 PM

WASHINGTON -- Criticized for its Katrina response, the American Red Cross will overhaul the way it handles future disasters by relinquishing control over some aid dollars and cracking down internally on waste and abuse.

The nation's largest charity promised the changes in a statement to a Senate panel Monday, following its acknowledgment last year that its $2 billion response to the Gulf Coast storm fell short."

FORTUNE: The FORTUNE 500: A banner year - Apr. 3, 2006

FORTUNE: The FORTUNE 500: A banner year - Apr. 3, 2006:
snip snip>

"However bountiful for business, 2005 was a terrible year for many people. That did not go unnoticed by companies in the FORTUNE 500, many of which seemed eager to display their good citizenship. Corporate giving typically accounts for 5 percent of U.S. philanthropy, says Patrick Rooney, the director of research for the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. But large U.S. corporations, he figured, 'gave 17 percent of total hurricane-related giving in 2005, 29 percent of the tsunami relief, and 58 percent of the relief for the Pakistan earthquake.'"

Nearly Two-Thirds of U.S. Charities Found Fundraising Success in 2005: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance

Nearly Two-Thirds of U.S. Charities Found Fundraising Success in 2005: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance: "Nearly Two-Thirds of U.S. Charities Found Fundraising Success in 2005
Monday April 3, 12:00 pm ET
Impact of Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts Significant But Not a Negative Factor For Most Charities

ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite the largest single relief effort in history for Hurricane Katrina, nearly two-thirds of charities in the United States managed to raise more funds in 2005 than in 2004.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals' (AFP) State of Fundraising Survey 2005 found that 63 percent of U.S. charities raised more money in 2005 than in the previous year, while 13 percent raised about the same amount and 24 percent raised less. The 63 percent figure is only two points lower than the 2004 survey, when 65 percent of U.S. charities raised more money that year than in the previous year."

The Chronicle, 4/6/2006: Turning Fund Raisers Into CEO's

The Chronicle, 4/6/2006: Turning Fund Raisers Into CEO's: "Turning Fund Raisers Into CEO's

More and more charities seek leaders with money-winning skills

By Holly Hall

Paige Flink, executive director of Family Place, a Dallas shelter for battered women, learned how hard it can be for a fund raiser to step into the chief executive's job at one of her first meetings with the organization's board.

Ms. Flink knew most of the 45 trustees, and she walked into the meeting confident it would go well — even though she had some bad news to share."

Hibernia News-Forbes praises philanthropy: Charitable giving has become a lesson in efficient business, the magazine publisher says.

Hibernia News: "Forbes praises philanthropy: Charitable giving has become a lesson in efficient business, the magazine publisher says. ( )
Apr 02, 2006 (Tulsa World - Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News via COMTEX) -- Steve Forbes is not a political candidate anymore.

He opts to influence public opinion through his leadership at Forbes magazine, through his regular columns and through his public speaking.

'I see my role now as agitator, sort of stirring the pot and putting pressure on others, Forbes said during a telephone interview.

Forbes will tackle current events nd address the issue of philanthropy as the featured speaker during the Salvation Army's annual fund-raising dinner April 11 at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Convention Center. He will take questions from the audience after the presentation."

Business First of Buffalo: Nonprofits confront fiscal woes - 2006-04-03

Business First of Buffalo: Nonprofits confront fiscal woes - 2006-04-03: "Nonprofits confront fiscal woes
Business First of Buffalo - April 3, 2006
by Tracey Drury
Business First

The 2006 Report Card on Charitable Giving in Erie County is filled with statistics that demonstrate small steps forward on the part of the nonprofit community.

Those advances, however, are tempered by more sobering data reflecting the difficulties and challenges faced by charities, cultural agencies and human-services providers.

The report, to be released Apr. 11, shows that total giving to nonprofit organizations in Erie County reached a five-year high in 2004, increasing 1.7 percent since 2003. But inflation was 3.5 percent during that period, eroding the modest gain."

Brudirect.com - News Headlines-Sultan Leads By Example

Brudirect.com - News Headlines: "Sultan Leads By Example
By Kartika Rahman

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Inspector General Police, consented yesterday to attend a Charity Walk organised in conjunction with the Royal Brunei Police Force's 85th Anniversary."

onPhilanthropy - Faith in America: The Philanthropic Context...

onPhilanthropy - Faith in America: The Philanthropic Context...: "Faith in America: The Philanthropic Context...
By: Susan Raymond, Ph.D., 03/03/06

This is the first in a three part series on faith-based philanthropy and nonprofits in America.

We are a nation of believers. 82% of American adults (admittedly only 69% of those with post graduate degrees) believe in God. But the patterns of belief and changing. Those changes have potential implications for both philanthropy and the constellation of nonprofits that make up America's service sector.

As usual, a caveat is in order. The United States does not include questions about religion in its census, and has not done so for 50 years. The information that is available comes from private and academic surveys. Further, it reflects what people say they believe and how they say they behave. What is actually true, therefore, is difficult to specify with any precision. Still, because so much of American life is lived in the context of faith, and because the link between faith, philanthropy and nonprofits is so deep, even weak data provide an important starting point."

Friday, March 31, 2006

MercuryNews.com | 03/31/2006 | Pizarro: Out of the wings, into the spotlight

MercuryNews.com | 03/31/2006 | Pizarro: Out of the wings, into the spotlight: "Pizarro: Out of the wings, into the spotlight
By Sal Pizarro
Mercury News

Teresa Alvarado has been one of the driving forces behind the scenes of philanthropy in the Latino community for two decades.

But she'll be front and center as the first executive director of the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley. The 8-year-old organization is best known for producing the Hispanic Charity Ball in the fall, but it also provides grants, volunteer opportunities and leadership development.

Alvarado, 41, spent the past seven years as a government relations rep for PG&E in San Jose and has been on the Hispanic Foundation's board for six years. She says she's honored by the opportunity and looking forward to the challenge of leading the organization."

America's national parks: no longer ad-free zones? | csmonitor.com

America's national parks: no longer ad-free zones? | csmonitor.com: "America's national parks: no longer ad-free zones?
Controversy erupts over a plan to let corporate donors display their names and logos at attractions like Yosemite.
By Mark Clayton | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
Amid the scenic splendor of America's national parks, might visitors one day see a sprinkling of signs that read: 'Yosemite, courtesy of Target'? Or perhaps, 'Mount Rushmore, brought to you by Verizon'?"

Thursday, March 30, 2006

Capital Campaign Fundraising - A Nonprofit Overview

Capital Campaign Fundraising - A Nonprofit Overview: "Capital Campaign Overview
From Apply Now,
Your Guide to Nonprofit Charitable Orgs.

A Nonprofit Overview
Capital campaign fundraising for a nonprofit organization is a major project but should not be an overwhelming process if you take the right steps along the way. It begins with thorough planning.

While the board of directors may have approved a major capital fundraising campaign, is it based simply on an identified need or has a feasibility study been completed? A feasibility study would help determine if the amount of funds can be raised while a planning study would assume the amount of funds can be raised and instead would determine how to proceed. Often, a capital campaign fundraising study will determine both the feasibility and the process of raising funds."

BSO taps endowment to clear millions in debt - baltimoresun.com

BSO taps endowment to clear millions in debt - baltimoresun.com: "BSO taps endowment to clear millions in debt
By Tim Smith
Sun music critic
Originally published March 30, 2006

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's board of directors has approved a plan to wipe out debt and provide fresh cash reserves for the next fiscal year by drawing upon nearly one-third - $27.5 million - of the organization's $90 million endowment."

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

For Kaye, it’s all about yesterday

For Kaye, it’s all about yesterday: "For Kaye, it’s all about yesterday
History museum’s future unfolding

CAPTION: A model of the new Marquette County History Museum shows the former Marq-Tran building the way historical society members want it to look after renovation. (Journal photo by Andy Nelson-Zaleski)

Kaye Hiebel isn’t accustomed to the luxury of working with a lot of extra space.

As the long-time curator and recently-appointed director of the Marquette County History Museum, Hiebel has watched countless items for exhibit display and archival research pass through the museum doors. With an average of one to two new artifacts being donated each day, the relatively small building, which has harbored the museum since 1949, has nearly reached its carrying capacity. "

ASU joins alliance to aid diversity cause

ASU joins alliance to aid diversity cause: "ASU joins alliance to aid diversity cause

Eugene Scott
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 9, 2006 12:00 AM

Arizona State University and two other universities received $7.5 million to enhance and diversify the country's non-profit community by combining their efforts.

The W. K. Foundation, an organization based in Battle Creek, Mich., is interested in improving people's quality of life. It recently awarded the grant to ASU, Indiana University - Bloomington and Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich.

ASU runs the Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Management, Indiana has the Center on Philanthropy and Grand Valley State oversees the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership. "

Lemonade stand makes life a little sweeter - Features

Lemonade stand makes life a little sweeter - Features: "emonade stands are a favorite pastime for budding entrepreneurs, though most profits end up going toward piggy-bank savings accounts.

But Alex Scott - who was diagnosed with cancer in 1997, just two days before her first birthday - ended up donating her money to pediatric cancer research.

By the time she was 8 years old, lemonade stands that she and others operated raised almost $1 million.

'Obviously Alex proved that every girl can make a difference,' says Liz Scott, Alex's mother. 'Her little 4-year-old self managed to raise a million dollars in her lifetime.'

What began as one lemonade stand grew into a franchise-like organization. Though Alex Scott passed away in 2004, her philanthropy lives on and has inspired a national effort.

Liz Scott now works full time with Alex's Lemonade Stand, a national organization that raises money like Alex did - by selling lemonade."

MySA.com: Editorials-Problems with Red Cross may hinder charity work

MySA.com: Editorials: "Editorial : Problems with Red Cross may hinder charity work

Web Posted: 03/29/2006 12:00 AM CST

San Antonio Express-News

American Red Cross officials must straighten out their organization before their famous icon becomes a symbol of deceit.

Three months after federal prosecutors charged 53 suspects with siphoning more than $200,000 in aid for hurricane victims in Bakersfield, Calif., the scandal is widening.

The organization has dismissed three volunteers in its inquiry into improprieties involving Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, the New York Times reported."

The gift of words - The Boston Globe

The gift of words - The Boston Globe: "The gift of words
Nonprofits can reap from sale of donated Internet addresses

By Jenn Abelson, Globe Staff | March 29, 2006

When Tom Bird started receiving six-figure offers for his domain name, farm.com, the Massachusetts entrepreneur this month made an unlikely move: He donated the Internet address to the Boston Foundation."

Disaster Planning

A possible resource we found.
Disaster Planning: "Disaster Planning

We’re pleased to provide you with a copy of Disaster Planning, Emergency Preparedness & Business Continuity. This document is a guideline that offers the points an organization needs to think about in order to prepare its own disaster recovery plan so that, should an interruption occur, it is able to resume operations."

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area: Greensboro raises huge funds for Olympic champ turned philanthropist - 2006-03-28

The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area: Greensboro raises huge funds for Olympic champ turned philanthropist - 2006-03-28: "Greensboro raises huge funds for Olympic champ turned philanthropist
The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area - 2:56 PM EST Tuesday

By the end of Joey Cheek Day last Thursday, the Greensboro community had raised almost $300,000 in support of Olympic speedskating champ's Right to Play charity as well as local youth charities, including the establishment of the Joey Cheek International Scholarship Fund at Greensboro College."

Colgate University News - Colgate students examine world of philanthropy, nonprofits

Colgate University News - Colgate students examine world of philanthropy, nonprofits: "Colgate students examine world of philanthropy, nonprofits

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Students visiting nongovernmental organizations in Washington, D.C., stand with Jim Smith '70 (left) and Pablo Eisenburg (front right), of the Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership at Georgetown University.

Democracy, reflection, peer-to-peer-networking, and the ideals of a liberal arts education. A recent alternative spring break trip, visiting nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and foundations in Washington, D.C., brought to life many of the concepts that are integral to Colgate’s Sophomore-Year Experience program.

Nine sophomores and one senior – from North America, India, Ghana, and Egypt – attended the five-day moveable feast, which whetted the students’ voracious appetites for ways they could apply their Colgate educations to lives engaged in philanthropy and civil society."

roanoke.com - Extra stories- Jefferson Center faces 'cash flow obstacle'

roanoke.com - Extra stories- Jefferson Center faces 'cash flow obstacle': "Jefferson Center faces 'cash flow obstacle'

* Arts and Culture

By Kevin Kittredge | 981-3323

At first blush, many a Roanoke nonprofit might wish they were Jefferson Center.

Rent from some 20 tenants, fees for the use of Shaftman Performance Hall and the center's own highly popular concert series all add up to what so many nonprofits lack: income. Add a rabid donor base, which contributed mightily in the 1990s to give the former high school a second lease on life, and you might guess times were good at 541 Luck Ave. S.W.

And you'd be wrong. Jefferson Center faces a whopping $400,000 shortfall in its $1.7 million budget for the year, executive director James 'Bau' Graves revealed last week.

"

ARTICLE: ODU study finds donors more kind to professionally run charities (The Virginian-Pilot - HamptonRoads.com/PilotOnline.com)

ARTICLE: ODU study finds donors more kind to professionally run charities (The Virginian-Pilot - HamptonRoads.com/PilotOnline.com): "ODU study finds donors more kind to professionally run charities

The Virginian-Pilot
© March 28, 2006

Professionally run nonprofits tend to attract more donations, according to a national study by an Old Dominion University professor.

The primary goal of the research, co- written by marketing and business professor John Ford, is to document the factors that motivate people to give, such as emotional and personal connections to a charity, Ford said."

delawareonline ¦ The News Journal ¦ Form 990: Not just another tax form

delawareonline ¦ The News Journal ¦ Form 990: Not just another tax form: "Form 990: Not just another tax form
Cover & Rossiter, P.A.

03/28/2006

Most nonprofit organizations must file a Federal Form 990 (“Return of Organization Exempt From Tax”) with the IRS on an annual basis. Although filed with the IRS, your 990 should not be thought of in the same terms as other tax forms.

IRS enforcement in the nonprofit arena has been virtually nonexistent. As long as it is filed on a timely basis, you will rarely be taken to task by the IRS for issues with the accuracy of your 990. That doesn't mean the 990 should be considered a compliance document, to be dispensed with as speedily as possible. The 990 should be considered as much a PR document as a tax filing."

Crain's Detroit Business-"More bucks for the boss

Crain's Detroit Business: "More bucks for the boss
Despite slow local economy, many nonprofits gave bigger raises in ’04 to compete nationally
By Sherri Begin
March 27, 2006 1:30 PM

Detroit Institute of Arts Director Graham Beal leads one of the top five art museums in the country, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at his compensation, Board Chairman Eugene Gargaro Jr. said.

Even with total compensation of $486,654 in 2004, his pay is still in the midrange of what his U.S. peers receive, said Gargaro, who is vice president and secretary of Taylor-based Masco Corp. Beal didn’t receive a base pay increase in 2003, but in 2004, the DIA gave him a 5.2 percent increase."

MyWestTexas.com - Local News - 03/28/2006 - Smaller charities provide unique services

MyWestTexas.com - Local News - 03/28/2006 - Smaller charities provide unique services: "Smaller charities provide unique services

Editor's Note: Today's presentation on philanthropy in Midland is the final of a three-day series.

By Colin Guy

Staff Writer

The old axiom, 'bigger is not always better,' is just as true for charitable organizations as it is for anything else. While large charities and foundations play an invaluable role in the lives of hundreds of Midlanders; smaller, often overlooked charities are changing lives one at a time."

MyWestTexas.com - Local News - 03/28/2006 - Local charities begin to embrace internet

MyWestTexas.com - Local News - 03/28/2006 - Local charities begin to embrace internet: "Local charities begin to embrace internet
Ryan Myers
Staff Writer
Midland Reporter-Telegram
03/28/2006

Local charities begin to embrace Internet

By Ryan Myers

Staff Writer

After the December 2005 tsunamis in South Asia many Americans saw two of their former presidents together in a TV commercial urging viewers to visit a Web site where they could make a donation by credit card to aid international relief efforts.

The simplicity of this donation collection approach, 'enter your credit card information and click enter,' has spurred large and small charities alike to embrace the Internet as a new means of soliciting donations. However the way charities utilize the Internet often is more innovative than adding a donation icon to their Web page."

MiamiHerald.com | 03/28/2006 | Florida grows new charitable foundations

MiamiHerald.com | 03/28/2006 | Florida grows new charitable foundations: "Florida grows new charitable foundations

Barbara Haar and Chantal Nichtawitz wrote an excellent overview of individual charitable giving in the March 17 Other Views article, Giving time, money for a better South Florida. Missing, however, was the important role of private foundations.

Each year foundations across the United States give billions of dollars in grants to support the important work of charities and nonprofit organizations. We have recently completed a first look at Florida's newly formed foundations and documented that Florida ranked fifth in the number of new private foundations created during the past five years.

Since 2000, 929 new foundations have been formed in Florida. They hold assets of over $1.39 billion. These new foundations made more than $122 million in grants in 2003-2004. Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties created 376 new foundations, 40 percent of all new foundations in Florida. Together they held $914 million, or 66 percent, of all new assets. Fourteen of the largest 25 foundations are located in South Florida."

TNS Study Names Top Ten Wealthiest U.S. Counties; California Leads the States With Highest Number of Wealthy Counties

TNS Study Names Top Ten Wealthiest U.S. Counties; California Leads the States With Highest Number of Wealthy Counties: "TNS Study Names Top Ten Wealthiest U.S. Counties; California Leads the States With Highest Number of Wealthy Counties
E-mail or Print this story

28 March 2006, 09:40am ET

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 28, 2006--TNS Financial Services, a division of TNS, one of the world's largest market information companies, today released its list of the top ten wealthiest counties in the United States. The Affluent Market Research Program (AMRP), TNS' annual survey of wealthy U.S. households, identifies the ten counties across America with the highest number of millionaire residents--including Los Angeles County, California, home to Hollywood heavyweights such as Steven Spielberg and Barbra Streisand, and Palm Beach County, Florida, home of Donald Trump's famed Mar-a-Lago estate."